Cleaning robot and control method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning robots struggle to effectively clean liquid and stubborn stains while avoiding wetting objects like carpets, and their environmental recognition is limited, leading to poor user experience and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The cleaning robot employs a detection device to recognize ground features like carpets based on physical size, using sensors such as ultrasonic and mechanical switches, and a positioning device to map the environment, allowing it to adjust its actions accordingly, avoiding carpets and entering/exiting regions without needing virtual barriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnetic strip is used to set a virtual forbidden region to prevent the robot from entering certain areas, then the robot can avoid specific zones, but the magnet may be moved during use causing the forbidden region to be displaced or ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of virtual forbidden regionVSAvoidease of setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical magnetic strip system with an optical detection system. The robot uses detection devices (cameras, sensors) to identify ground features and carpets, and the control device processes this information to automatically adjust mopping operations. This substitution eliminates the need for physical magnetic strips while improving reliability through automated environmental recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the robot is equipped with mopping function to clean liquid and stubborn stains, then the cleaning capability is improved, but the robot may wet objects like carpets that are not suitable for wet cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidwetting of carpets

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The robot performs preliminary detection of ground features and carpets before executing mopping operations. The detection device identifies carpets in advance, and the control device pre-adjusts the mopping assembly to a lifting state or reduces water supply before the robot reaches the carpet area. This preliminary action prevents harmful wetting while maintaining effective cleaning in suitable areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mopping assembly is designed with dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the robot to change the mopping state (lifting, lowering, water supply) in real-time based on detected environmental conditions. When carpets are detected, the system dynamically adjusts to a non-wetting state; when suitable surfaces are detected, it transitions to active mopping mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If the robot uses detection devices and positioning to recognize ground features and perform corresponding actions, then the degree of intelligence and reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegree of intelligenceVSAvoidcomplexity of detection and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. The same detection device serves multiple purposes: identifying ground features, detecting carpets, and providing positioning information. The control device integrates multiple functions (route adjustment, mopping control, water supply regulation) into a single unified system, avoiding the need for separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the robot's intelligence and reliability, enabling efficient cleaning across multiple regions while preventing carpets from getting wet, thus improving user experience.

Implementation Method 1

sensors such as ultrasonic and mechanical switches

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic detection: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

sensors such as ultrasonic and mechanical switches

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical switching:

Data Source

PatentUS12440079B2Cleaning robot and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 POSITEC POWER TOOLS (SUZHOU) CO LTD

AI summary

A cleaning robot (and a control method thereof) including a body, a mover, to drive the cleaning robot to move on a ground and perform cleaning work, a detector, configured to detect a ground feature in front of the cleaning robot, a positioner, configured to obtain position information of the cleaning robot, and a controller, electrically connected to the detector and the positioner. The controller stores or obtains a map of a working region of the cleaning robot and can determine a position of the cleaning robot in the map according to the position information of the cleaning robot. Further, the controller recognizes the ground feature according to a detection result of the detector and controls, according to the position of the cleaning robot in the map, the cleaning robot to perform a corresponding action.